Name: Melissa Crockett
Organisation: Western Health and Social Care Trust
Award Category: Midwife Of The Year
Sponsored By:
Voting Is Now Closed
My Plea:
Selling myself is not something I am good at or entirely comfortable with because personally I do not think I am anything special. For me this role is not a job it is simply my life, my passion and to be honest I see it as a privilege and an honour to have met some of the most beautiful precious babies that the rest of the world did not get to meet. For ten years I have worked as a midwife within both the hospital and community setting and more recently for the past two years I have been working as the Childbirth and Pregnancy Loss Specialist Midwife within the Western Health & Social Care Trust.
The most important thing I think you all should know is just how completely grateful I am to each and every one of the mums, dads, friends and colleagues who nominated me for this award. It was quite overwhelming to receive one nomination let alone all of these! I want you to know that each nomination means the world to me and I have reread each of them a thousand times over. They have gotten me through the sometimes long days, sometimes stressful days and the days when I think ‘Am I any good at this job?’
I actually met the first baby that has led me on this journey when I was as a student midwife and from meeting her and her parents I knew that improving bereavement care for each future family was going to be my ultimate goal professionally. Coincidently, I recently met that family again in a subsequent pregnancy and to have the mum recognise me from all those years ago was remarkable. To be able to tell her that her daughter started me on this journey and that I am in this role because of her was just perfect.
Over these past two years I have lived and breathed improving bereavement care, from helping open the first every Bereavement suite fully funded by SANDS, to taking a more active role in the yearly remembrance service to simply being there for parents who may have lost babies years ago. This role is not a job to me it has seeped into every aspect of my life and meeting each of the babies I have cared for has moulded me into the person I am today. Each baby has left an imprint on my heart and I am thankful to the families for allowing me to be there for them in some of their darkest moments. I can still list all of their names because over the years I have kept all of them in a little book so they will never be forgotten.
I will admit I have the most heart-breaking job but to hear a parent say that I was able to make them smile whilst in the depths of sorrow or that my presence made the worst experience anyone will ever go through just that little bit more bearable is worth its weight in gold to me. I am just me when I walk into that room, and to me their little baby is just a baby, I don’t see them as being stillborn I see them the same way I see all other babies as a precious gift to be loved. Therefore as a midwife as we do with all babies, I help the parents dress and bathe them and if I am lucky enough to be able to I steal cuddles. Ultimately I want to help parents create memories that will last them a lifetime.
Earlier this year I embarked on another challenge encompassing another passion of mine, football, because working one job is never enough for me. I recognised and noticed that women are supported more following a pregnancy loss and that unintentionally men seemed to be a second thought to most people. The support groups available are widely attended by women but not men meaning they can feel lost or isolated. So after seeing a Sands United football club on the One Show I thought that is what I wanted for the men here. I was able to approach two dads, whom I knew personally and who both unfortunately had lost babies within the past year and the three of us set about starting Sands United Maiden City FC.
This team is for all men who have experienced the loss of a baby or child, not just for the dads but for the uncles, the brothers and the grandads too, anyone who has been touched by the loss can come and take part. To see this team, develop and flourish has been eye-opening, to see how the men have gelled together as a group and created their own support network is amazing. A team which began with nine men has gone from strength to strength and at the last count has now almost thirty members. The commitment the players give each week is outstanding and to see them wear jerseys displaying their babies’ names makes me so very proud of each and every one of them. These men are pioneers within Northern Ireland because this team has encouraged other men to step forward and seek support and solace in the form of sport. To date there are now at least six other Sands football teams in development within Northern Ireland itself.
Regardless of winning I am honoured to be nominated and very grateful to you all for taking the time to read my words. I hope that in reading them you will continue to remember the babies and children that are no longer with us, to have conversations about them with their families and most importantly to use their names when talking about them. I know that I will continue to endeavour to provide the best care I possibly can to each family I meet. Hopefully, I can be a little bit of light in the dark times, be kind, compassionate and caring towards each of them and try to be the support they each need at that time. I will continue to see it as an honour and privilege to be able to care for the babies that are with us for the briefest time.
What Others Have Said
Not only was Melissa our bereavement midwife , she was a shoulder to cry on, a face to shout at, a mind to ask numerous questions to that were asked time and time again and were always answered, a fountain of information and a common ground for all other health professionals. We felt as a couple Melissa was the most crucial part of our care and still is. However Melissa is also a person, a beautiful, kind, compassionate person who is exceptional at her job and this is why she deserves to win this award. Someone who has a heart of pure gold deserves to be recognised for just that. We are so thankful for Melissa and my Angel baby will never know how privileged she was to be nursed by a real live Angel.
Melissa is an exceptional person and Midwife. She is also my colleague and took such good care of me and my husband on the loss of one of our twins last year. Melissa goes above and beyond for all the families she meets. She truly deserves to be recognised for her role.
Melissa is one in a million! Such an amazing midwife! Always goes above and beyond for everyone she meets! We are lucky to have her ❤Xx
hard to find people who go above and beyond and its not recogised enough. we need more people like melissa who is a true inspiration. good luck xx
Melissa has a special gift from God.
I have watched her grow into this beautiful loving caring woman. She touches my heart as the Spirit in her continues doing and trying her best.
She deserves this recognition
Melissa crockett is absolutely amazing!! She is an angel placed on earth! I volunteer for a charity ‘remember my baby’ so i work alongside with melissa on the odd occasion and she is such a super star. Puts the parents and myself at ease and nothing is a bother to her!
Melissa delivered my daughter 9 years ago. We had a happy ending after a very dramatic and traumatic birth but having her calming influence was amazing. She is undoubtedly a living angel who deserves national recognition for her work
Fantastic at her job and a real credit to the health service and just a fantastic person all round
Melissa is a lovely person to both patients and colleagues.
Amazing job
Melissa is a well deserving winner of anything that comes get way.
Melissa’s job unfortunately brought is together as my wife and I lost one of our Twins in Sept 2018. With Mel there it was easier on us as she helped in any way possible even staying well after her shift had finished and going well above and beyond her duties. Making each step as easy as possible for ourselves.
We have recently also gone on together to help build SANDS UNITED FC MAIDEN CITY together with help of others bereaved dads uncles and brothers. Including our partners also in the making of the team. Without Mel I believe the team would not be where it is day is such a short period of time. With her will to drive us on especially as it’s such a unique team and normally “MEN DON’T TALK”. She has made the worst time of our lives much easier. Thank you Mel for every thing you have done for us in this our worst time of our life’s.
Amazing work from an amazing lady
Melissa is an amazing asset in a sometimes over looked crisis.
Melissa deserves this award and so much more. We as midwives would be lost without her endless support.
She is truly amazing at her job, and I’m glad families experiencing such hardship have such a warm, caring and enthusiastic midwife to support them and meet their little babies.
Melissa you truly are amazing. My husband and I spent time in the lavender suit flowing the loss of our two boys Noah and Isaac and you were the one person who helped us to keep focus and see your way through such a traumatic period in our life. You are an Angel sent from Heaven xx
Unfortunately we didn’t receive any specialist after care aftering losing our babies, so I know how important this role is in every Trust, Good luck, I think you deserve it
You are doing an amazing job Melissa. Well Done xx
This young lady is such an asset to her chosen field.
I trained as an adult nurse when melissa was training as a mid wife. It was a pleasure working with melissa as a nursing auxiliary while training.
She is the caring, empathic and loving person i have ever met and is perfect for the role that she is in. She provides the kind sensitive understanding and caring approach required to help others through difficult time in thier lives not everyone is cut out for this but special kind of individual. Good luck melissa
I see first hand the passion and enthusiasm melissa brings to her job. Well deserved
Lovely lady and very supportive in many ways
All the very best of Luck Melissa. What you do is amazing ?
Best of luck Melissa for all the great work you do supporting those needing a strong shoulder of support..
Outstanding in everything that she does,the most caring and compassionate person.
Melissa has worked tirelessly within bereavement services, her passion to improve services has given confidence and great support to staff. Ultimately empowering midwives to provide bereaved parents with one-to-one care and support in one of the most toughest situations for both parents and midwives.
wow what an amazing lady
Melissa was our midwife when we were having our second baby. She made my wife and I feel completely at ease and talked us through everything as our first child was ab emergency C section my wife was nervous. Melissa was very reassuring and laughed and joked with us. All this while meant to be her day off, but as she knew some people were off sick she came in to help out. Thanks from both of us
Melissa is very passionate and give her big heart to the parents who lost their babies. I admire her work. She already achieved great things and hope she’ll be able to provide the support for very long time. Well done Melissa.
Melissa helped deliver my baby girl 13 years ago now in November, she was her 1st ever baby as a student . She even got her a wee pink teddy because it was her 1st ever delivery. Even all them years ago and as a student starting out she was a joy to have in my delivery room. So glad she doing the job she’s doing because even as a student she was amazing
Melissa is an absolute star – exhibiting compassion, understanding and at the same time immense positivity in what are such difficult and traumatic circumstances.
Melissa is an angel on earth for many many bereaved parents in our city
Oh my so many lovely comments Melissa you are already a winner …. what you have achieved through service improvements for mums and dads experiencing bereavement is amazing for parents in our care …. it’s been so obvious your commitment has always been evident even years before with your beautiful angel gowns …. being with women is a privilege we all share through their pregnancy and birth journeys the very best of luck ….
Good luck ? x
Best of luck Melissa you so deserve this, you are fabulous at what you do. X
Good luck Melissa! You are such a worthy contender for this title.
Melissa is fantastic at her job role. She went out of her way to help our needs. We gave birth 2 twins, 14 weeks ago, 1 passed away & melissa was there, every step of the way with us at this sad time. She made all the difficult choices we had 2 make, far easier.
Well where do I start, with the birth of my twins nearly 6 yrs ago now and one baby being poorly and taken to RHSC, Melissa was my ‘rock’!!! She helped me through every emotion I had and comforted me when I needed it. This girl is one in a million xx
Melissa is a wonderful midwife and colleague and has brought so many changes to the services we provide through her compassion and professionalism. I am delighted that she has achieved the recognition she truly deserves. Her work with mums and families and especially the recognition of how baby loss affects dads has been truly inspiring. Well done Melissa xx
Melissa you are truly blessed with beautiful gifts of love and care to those who need care and support through the most difficult times in their life .
A wonderful lady.
Melissa is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. We lost a precious baby before we had the chance to meet and on hearing how much I was struggling from my sister in law also a midwife, they put together a beautiful memory box that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Having nothing to show of our baby this box has meant the world to me and helped me through many a dark day. There are no words to describe how special she is and the work she does. I am blessed to have met her in person on the safe arrival of our 2nd baby this summer and she was everything I could have imagined and more. The most beautiful, soft and caring woman. Thank you so much
Melissa is one in a million ❤️ she was amazing with me when i delivered my triplets but sadly one of my beautiful boys had passed away. She couldn’t do enough for me and her just being in thr room just brightened it up that little bit! She went above and beyond to make me and my family feel comfortable and she was just amazing! She is well deserving of this award for everything she does in and outside of work. Good luck Mel ❤️ xx
An angel in disguise x
You are amazing Melissa your support and dedication to parents is second to none…wishing you all the best of luck x
Amazing work I wish I’d had you when I lost my baby in 1989 nothing in place then…. Wonderful to have a committed passionate caring professional leading this wonderful service
Well done hope you are being nominated for rcn nurse of the year 2020 you deserve it
Melissa deserves this award as she works tirelessly in her role and goes above and beyond for the families she meets. She is a fantastic colleague and unfortunately for her, had to look after me following the stillbirth of one of my twins. She was amazing and I know it wasn’t easy for her.
She has also changed the mental health input for the bereaved males in our town, my husband included when they founded Sands United.
Melissa was a phenomenal support to my daughter and son in law on the loss of their baby. She is an amazing person and deserves to be recognised.
Amazing work
I’ve seen first hand how gentle and caring Melissa is to the parents and how tender and loving she is towards the babies she’s taking care of in the Lavender Suite.
She gives the parents permission to grieve while being a constant support and source of information for them.
Every year I put a baby tree of remembrance up in the studio and last year Melissa came and put all the babies names up and spoke about every single baby and their families with such loving words.
This is what she came into this lifetime to do and she does it with such grace and tenderness. A beautiful soul who radiates love.
Amazing wee girl. Puts so much into whatever she does.
A lovely, caring and nurturing woman
Melissa is fantastic at her job and deserves to be recognised for it.
Our family is quietly waiting for the arrival of our little earth angel, Katie Marie. Katie won’t be with us for very long on this earth but has surprised us all by making it as far as she has. We recently came into contact with Melissa through our incredible consultant Dr cartmill at altnagelvin. Melissa immediately radiated warmth and understanding and unconditional support. She allayed every fear that we had and answered questions that we didn’t know we had. We are so lucky that she will be on this incredibly difficult journey with us and we are blessed to have her wealth of experience within this Trust area. She makes our babies voices heard even if they are never able to speak for themselves.
I could not think of a better recipient for this award. Melissa is just an outstanding person and just loves her job
Amazing looked after my friends
I vote for Melissa Crockett
Good luck would love to see you win ❤️
Melissa was there for me and my husband every step of the way when we lost our little baby boy in March this year. No words could ever thank her enough for the compassion and care she showed towards us and our little angel, and I will never forget her for it. She deserves to be recognised for the amazing work she does.
Melissa deserves this so much.. she is exceptional at her job, my husband and I first met Melissa in April 2018 when our first baby arrived prematurely. Melissa was a great help and support for our family through this difficult time, and went above and beyond to make things seem easier in such a difficult time.. we then had the pleasure of introducing our rainbow baby to her in April 2019… Thank you Melissa for all the wonderful work you do ?
What a truly inspirational nurse,
I wish you all the very best of luck, you clearly deserve to win, for all those babies you have met, for all those parents and families you’ve supported x
A very beautiful and kind midwife who shows love compassion and empathy in her role
Melissa is an amazing midwife! She naturally makes you feel at ease and is so down to earth, she helped me with the birth of my twins and even came to visit me on the ward the next day, best of luck xx
A remarkable midwife in every way, she does a wonderful job caring and supporting these parents through a very difficult time in their lives. Well done Melissa
Truly dedicated ?
Such a lovely lady
There are no words to describe Melissa!
I spent weeks in hospital I’ll after delivering our little star in the sky Rihanna. Melissa was with me every step of the way, even taking time during her holiday to check up on me!
The support which she provided was amazing and no one is more deserving of recognition ❤️
Good luck
I have never met Melissa but I know she has helped some of my patients through the most difficult time of their lives, and encouraged them out the other side , and even on through miracle rainbow pregnancies after. Her support for them was unfailing and as a GP we are truly blessed in our area to have such a committed person to guide our heartbroken patients. Thank you Melissa x
I would just like to say this girl is amazing at what she does , she helped me through a hard time of my life when melissa was just a student an how much trust an relationship i build with melissa in a short space of time she will always have a place in my heart , recently melissa helped me stay positive again with the words and comforting support that she provides , it’s a well deserved award to achieve thanks for everything you have done for me xxx
So many lovely comments. Melissa has approached her role with commitment and passion. The development of maternity bereavement services has not only supported women and their partners but has offered guidance and clarity to staff when delivering care to families during such difficult times. Good luck Melissa!
As I read the above comments my heart is fit to burst with pride. I am Melissa’s mother and I see every day how passionate and caring she feels about her job. Well not her job but her vocation. She makes herself available twenty four seven for all the families who need her help. Even on holiday she is always at the end of the phone. Some days can be particularly difficult and heartbreaking for Melissa, but she puts her feelings aside as she says they are surpassed by the pain and heartache of families who have lost babies and whom she can help. I may be a little biased but Melissa is such a kind, compassionate and caring person, who goes above and beyond for everyone she meets in her work and personal life. I am sure the comments above already make Melissa feel like a winner and she will be so honoured by the fact that parents have shown their appreciation by their nominations.